“The first place winner for Highest Norpsilocin goes to…Krishna!”

I feel a tap on my back.

“Monica, isn’t that yours?” Kyle from Blue Bear Mycology whispers. We’re sitting at the awards ceremony for the 3rd Annual Colorado Psychedelic Cup.

I glance at the screen, then scramble through my inbox to check my grower ID. It is mine.

Half laughing, half stunned, I shoot up from my seat to claim my award – a medal presented by the Psychedelic Club of Denver and Tryptomics Lab.

Thanks for the heads up, Kyle!

Background

How did I win the 2025 Colorado Psychedelic Cup’s Highest Norpsilocin category? In short: time, genetics and luck.

Even though I’d planned to enter, the Cup completely slipped my mind until the night before submissions were due. None of my 2025 grows had stood out like in the past two years, but I couldn’t just sit it out. So I did what any home mycologist does in a crunch: raided my closet.

I knew Kyle from Blue Bear Mycology had won Highest Potency two years in a row (2023 and 2024) using material from the same harvest of his cubensis blob isolate, Toque F8 “Nerds”, somehow testing even higher the second time. Maybe I could find my own hidden gem.

That’s when I discovered a small stash of Krishna that I’d entered the year before, fruits still sealed in a plastic bag with a desiccant pack, perfectly dry and crisp from base to tip. The 2024 sample had tested at a hefty 2.339% total tryptamine content. Could this be my magical winner, like “Nerds” was for Kyle? There was only one way to find out.

Krishna Genetics

Krishna first landed on my radar in late 2023 as a thank you gift from a friend in the industry. He handed it to me with a knowing grin and a warning: this particular strain was spicy…the kind that demanded respect. He told me I had Brian, co-founder and lead mycologist of Colorado Cultures, to thank for the masterpiece.

My curiosity was instantly piqued. Always on the hunt for potent genetics, I sought out Brian for a liquid culture I could grow myself. He had Krishna in stock and I was stoked. Let the fun(gi) begin!

Krishna’s bio taken from Colorado Cultures‘ website:

Krishna is a hybrid genetic crafted by our lead mycologist, Brian Bristol. Born from the fusion of Shakti and our exclusive CC house Mel Mak genetics, Krishna embodies the pinnacle of mushroom cultivation innovation. This genetic boasts an exceptional combination of traits, making it a favorite among growers. Not only is Krishna remarkably easy to cultivate, but its potency and yield surpass expectations, setting a new standard in homegrown mushrooms. One of Krishna’s defining features is its striking resemblance to the notorious Penis Envy fruits, yet with a unique twist. Thanks to the influence of our Mel Mak house genetic, Krishna’s fruits showcase larger stems, adding to their allure and visual appeal. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or a novice enthusiast, Krishna promises a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

Grow Log

Strain: Krishna

Culture type: Liquid Culture from Colorado Cultures

Grain: Rye

Substrate: Coco coir, vermiculite, gypsum (CVG)

Start: March 23, 2024

Spawn to Bulk (Tub): April 7, 2024

Fresh Air Exchange: 2x/day

Harvest: April 28, 2024

Dehydration: Dried in a dehydrator at 113F for 24 hours.

Storage: Sealed plastic bag with desiccant pack in closet drawer.

2024 Certificate of Analysis

As Krishna’s COA shows, he’s every bit as “spicy” as promised – clocking in at 2.339% total tryptamines! The real kicker? That sample had been sitting in a plastic bag with a desiccant pack in my closet for six months before testing, likely meaning some degradation had already occurred.

2024 Most Potent Cubes

My Krishna sample was so spicy he placed among the top ten most potent cubensis entries in the 2024 Cup.

So, when it came time to decide what to enter for 2025, you can guess why I chose to give this particular reserve another shot.

Source: Tryptomic’s Public Leaderboard

2025 Certificate of Analysis

When I got Krishna’s 2025 COA back, I didn’t have high hopes of winning anything. Honestly, I was pretty disappointed to see how much the material had degraded in just one year from 2.339% down to 1.314% total compounds. At that point, I was more focused on figuring out how to better preserve my dried fruits for the future than on the possibility of earning a medal. Which explains why I wasn’t even paying attention to my grower ID during the award ceremony!

2025 Award Ceremony

The award ceremony spans a broad range of categories, from Purest Extract to specific Alkaloid recognitions.

When Krishna won Highest Norpsilocin out of 175 entries, I was thrilled, but I couldn’t help wondering: What role does this compound play in older mushroom material…and how did my sample manage to win?

What is Norpsilocin?

Norpsilocin is a minor tryptamine alkaloid found in psilocybin mushrooms. In addition to the major alkaloids psilocybin and psilocin, these mushrooms usually contain several minor alkaloids – including norbaeocystin, baeocystin, and norpsilocin. Baeocystin is thought to metabolize into norpsilocin, either within the mushroom itself or after ingestion.

Sources: Lenz et al., 2017, Sherwood et al., 2020, MilliporeSigma, ACS Lab

Minor Alkaloid Importance

Minor alkaloids like baeocystin and norpsilocin expand our understanding beyond just psilocybin and psilocin. They hint at a possible “entourage effect”, where all the compounds may quietly shape the effects we feel. In lab tests, norpsilocin binds strongly to the serotonin receptor behind psychedelic effects (5-HT₂A), sometimes even more than psilocin. But in animal studies, it didn’t reliably trigger the usual psychedelic response, likely because it struggles to reach the brain in enough quantity.

Sources: Chadeayne et al., 2020, Sherwood et al., 2024, CEN, ACS Lab

How Krishna Won Highest Norpsilocin

Researchers believe baeocystin may gradually convert into norpsilocin over time. Comparing Krishna’s 2024 (top) and 2025 (bottom) test results shows a clear trend: over a year in my closet, baeocystin dropped from 0.321 mg/g to 0.033 mg/g, while norpsilocin climbed from 0.009 mg/g to 0.100 mg/g. While this could be mere correlation, it’s an intriguing transformation nonetheless. Whatever the cause, one thing’s certain: with time, norpsilocin levels rise.

Mix that year-long climb with a dash of luck, and somehow, out of 175 entries, my Krishna took the win. Totally unexpected, but incredibly thrilling. A fitting reminder that in mushroom cultivation – just like “Nerds” was for Kyle – you should never underestimate the magic of an aged sample.

A huge thank you to the Psychedelic Club of Denver and Tryptomics Lab for hosting such a fun and memorable event.

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